What’s Really Wrong with Poetry Book Contests?

David Alpaugh, who has both run and won a poetry book contest himself, offers his astute analysis of the business of selecting poetry books for publication by holding a competition. Fraud and cronyism, hidden connections between judges and winners... these are not the real problems. Alpaugh locates the reasons for the boom in poetry book contests, investigates what that boom is doing to the art and the poetry market, and gives you plenty of things to think about before you package up your manuscript and write a check for that contest entry fee.

More required reading before you submit to any contests:
How to put together a poetry manuscript for publication
Is Poetry Contest Publication Worth It?
“A Word To the Wise: On entering your poems in competition,” by Kurt Heintz
“You Do It Because You Love It,” by S.A. Griffin

Related resources:
More contest links